Nurses honor Congressman Pursell

By Deborah Gilbert
News and Information Services

The School of Nursing will host "An Evening to Honor Carl D.
Pursell" at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Weber's Inn to benefit the Carl D.
Pursell Nursing Research Fund at the U-M. Pursell, who has represented Michigan's 2nd Congressional District since 1977, is retiring Jan. 1.

"Carl Pursell has been a leading congressional advocate for nursing, health care and education," says Nola J. Pender, professor of nursing and director of the U-M Center for Nursing Research.

"A caring and committed congressman, he has led the fight to increase funding for nursing education and research, supported increased funding for biomedical research, and supported allocation of special funds for anesthesia and nurse-midwifery training.

"In 1985, Pursell's efforts led to the establishment of the National Center for Nursing Research in the National Institutes of Health. In recognition of his support, the American Nurses Association has honored Congressman Pursell twice with prestigious national awards.

"Congressman Pursell also has been a great friend of the U-M School of Nursing," Pender adds. "He has brought U-M leaders in nursing to testify before Congress and to meet with the president, so that the voices of University nursing professionals are heard on health policy issues."

Speakers will include Rhetaugh G. Dumas, dean of the School of Nursing; Carolyne K. Davis, former U-M associate vice president for academic affairs and administrator of the Health Care Financing Association during the Reagan administration; and Ada Sue Hinshaw, director of the National Center for Nursing Research.

A highlight of the evening will be a video featuring Pursell's efforts on behalf of health care and the nursing profession.